<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?><oembed><version><![CDATA[1.0]]></version><provider_name><![CDATA[Mark A. Galang]]></provider_name><provider_url><![CDATA[https://markgalang.wordpress.com]]></provider_url><author_name><![CDATA[Mark A. Galang]]></author_name><author_url><![CDATA[https://markgalang.wordpress.com/author/markgalang/]]></author_url><title><![CDATA[Close-Mindedness Can Be Very&nbsp;Irritating]]></title><type><![CDATA[link]]></type><html><![CDATA[<p>I grew up as a fan of metal. I should be because I started out playing in a band that covered Metallica. Naturally, therefore, I would love thrash metal. Heck, I still do. Of all the Big Four thrash bands, Megadeth was up on my list simply because I think their musicianship was the most superb of them all. My favorite Megadeth album is &#8220;Rust in Peace&#8221;. Fast forward 2013, they released this:</p>
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<p>Hmm, okay. I wouldn&#8217;t call this thrash metal. It&#8217;s some kind of hard rock that is more akin to a Mr. Big hit than a thrash metal anthem like Slayer&#8217;s &#8220;Angel of Death&#8221; (by the way, RIP Jeff Hannemann). I have seen how some fans have started to hate Megadeth because the band has the desire to expand its fanbase (and perhaps earn a lot of money in the process). Who could blame them? They got families to feed, bills to pay, etc. They do this for a living. This has to be respected rather than bash Megadeth for seemingly selling out.</p>
<p>I couldn&#8217;t really stand how narrow-minded or close-minded rabid thrash metal fans can be at times. Can&#8217;t we respect the band for trying out something else? I mean they&#8217;re artists. You can&#8217;t expect an artist to put out something like &#8220;Rust in Peace&#8221; every year or so. That&#8217;s the kind of thing that kills innovation.</p>
<p>So, for fans who are disappointed with Megadeth&#8217;s direction, please shut up. You&#8217;re not doing anything good. Hey, I would agree that this new Megadeth song isn&#8217;t really something that I&#8217;d be crazy about but you have to respect the fact that they&#8217;re living up to their name as ARTISTS and not mere parrots that repeat the same thing over time without meaning.</p>
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